On April 13th it was reported that plans to bring CM Punk back to AEW were underway.
The star hasn’t featured for the company since All Out on September 4th. During his World Title win over Jon Moxley he injured his triceps meaning a spell out of the ring was inevitable. However, his verbal attack on a number of key figures in the post-show media scrum and subsequent backstage fight with The Elite confirmed his exile.
Now with the two-time AEW World Champion now available to return to the ring, plans regarding a return to the company have kicked into gear.
The report noted that the “wheels are in motion” regarding a return with AEW Dynamite in Chicago on June 21st looking a likely destination. This report also stated that AEW is looking at a “soft roster split” with the launch of a new Saturday show. It is believed that Punk will head up this new show.
It has also been claimed that The Elite has no desire to work with Punk, although he could be willing to patch things up.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, Andrew Zarian confirmed reports that The Elite has “no intention” of working with Punk.
“He [Punk] had recently said he wants to return to AEW and he wants to make it work. The issue here is he’s willing to work with The Elite members. I know as of the time I was told and early this week, there was no intention on the other side. Maybe Kenny a little bit more than The Bucks but they do not want to work with him. There’s been no dialogue between the two sides either about sitting down and making this work.”
However, the situation with Chris Jericho appears a little different. While the pair have well-documented issues, Zarian reports that when Punk returns it will likely be into an on-screen feud with the star.
“The way it was alluded to me is that the programme will probably be Punk and Jericho in some capacity. I don’t know if FTR’s involved or the Jericho Appreciation Society is involved…He’s [Jericho] willing to make this work.”
Not everyone. https://t.co/UamPhIUXDj
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) April 14, 2023
CM Punk To Meet With Chris Jericho
The report from Zarian comes after it was noted that Punk is due to meet with Chris Jericho, Tony Khan, CM Punk, FTR, and potentially others. The issues between Punk and Jericho are no secret. Jericho reportedly called Punk “cancer” in the aftermath of All Out, while Punk recently said his rival was a “liar and a stooge” in a now-deleted social media post.
H/t to Cultaholic